Marine propulsion.



B. STRAUCH.

MARINE PROPULSION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1917.

Patented July 9, 1918. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- INVENTOR ATTORNEY m: Ncmms PEIERS cof. Fnamuma, wasmucmu. o. c.

B. STRAUCH.

MARINE PROPULSION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY s. 19H.

1' ,272, 1 4 1 Patented July 9, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR Wnwssss B812 'a/m'n Sil'llldi/ %2"M J ATTORNEY BENJAMIN srniinon, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

MARINE rnoPULsIoN.

' claimed.-

An object of the invention is to provide a propelling means for a vessel so arranged that either end of the vessel may be used as the forward end or bow and the propelling engine or power may be positioned upon the vessel at a point midway between the ends thereof.

WVit-h this object in view the invention consists in providing the hull of the vessel with a 'tunneiwhich extends the full length thereof and which is positioned over the keel of the hull. This tunnel is provided at its ends with gratings and at a point be tween its ends it 1s divided lute-branches which are spaced at their intermediate portions from each other. Propellers are located in the tunnel at the ends of the said" branches and their shafts enter the space between the intermediate portions of the branches and thus the said space constitutes a pit in which the propelling engine may be positioned or the power may be transmitted to the propeller shafts. provided in the tunnel and may be manipulated to obstruct the passage way when desired. Rudders are positioned at each end of the vessel and means are provided for locking the said rudders so that the rudder which is at the forward end of'the Vessel is held in'a stationary position while the rudder which is at the rear or stern of the vessel may be used for steering the same.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1- is a plan view of a vessel, showing the propelling means applied;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of one end of the vessel illustrating the means for locking the rudder.

As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the vessel to which the propelling means is applied comprises a hull 1 which is pointed at its opposite end s. A tunnel 2 traverses the length of the hull 1 and is positioned Specification of Letters Patent.

Suitable gates are Patented July 9, 1918.

Application filed May 5, 1917. Serial No. 166,626.

above the keel thereof. The said tunnel 2 is provided :atits ends withv gratings 3. The

tunnel 2 is approximately rectangular in transverse section and is located directly abovev the'bottom of the hull 1 At the intermediate portion the tunnel 2 is divided into branches 4, the intermediate parts of which are spaced from each other thereby.

providing a pit 5 in which an engine may be positioned. I Shafts 6 are journaled at the inner parts of thewend portions of the tunnel 2 and the inneren-ds of the said shafts enter the pit 5 and may beconnccted with the operating engine. Prope1lers7 are carried by the shafts 6 and are located in the end portions of the tunnel 2 beyond'the ends of the branches 4 thereof. Gates 8 are mounted in the end portions of the tunnel 2 beyond the propellers 7 and may be manipulated to diminish the passageway through thetunnel or to interrupt the said passagewayv entirely when it is desired to shut off the water from the branches 4 for repair or other purposes. Vertical hearings 9 are positioned in the hull 1 in the vicinity of the ends thereof and rudder shafts 10am journaled in the said bearings 9. The shafts 10 carry at their lower ends blades 11 which are provided at their free edges with recesses 12. Vertical posts 13 are carried at the ends of the keel of the hull 1 and shafts 14 are journaled therein. Beveled pinions 15 are mounted at the upper ends of the shafts 14 and mesh with similar pinions 16 mounted upon shafts 17 which are disposed longitudinally of the hull 1. erms 18 are can ried at the lower portions of the shafts 14 and mesh with teeth 19 of dogs 20. The said dogs are pivotally mounted in the posts .13 and when the shafts 14 are manipulated they are adapted to be swung into the recesses 12 The navigator may manipulate the rudder shafts 10 at. the rear or stern of the hull whereby the rear rudder may be swung with relation to the hull and thus the hull is directed through the water. As the water enters the tunnel from the forward end of the vessel or hull it passes toward the propellers which operate upon the same and from the forward propeller the column of water is' split by the branches 4; and directed through the same to the rear propeller and thus the said propellerscooperate with each other tending to eject the column of'water from the rear end of the tunnel 2. Hence the hull l is propelled in a forward direction. Should it be desired to propel the hull in an opposite direction the rudder which has previously been at the forward end of the hull and in a locked position is released and the rudder at the opposite end of the hull is secured in a locked position and the propellers are reversed in their rotary move ment. Thus the vessel may be propelled in full speed will pull down the water which is plowed up at the bow and this water is passed through the tunnel and used as a Copies of this patent maybe obtaiiiedfor means for propelling the vessel and does not tunnel the water may be pumped out of the branches of the tunnel and hence access may be had to the propellers for repairs or other purposes. 7 c

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. In combination with a vessel hull which is of the same design at its opposite. ends, a propellingmeans comprising a tunnel which traverses the length of the hull and which is divided at a point between its ends .into branches, steering means located one at each end of the tunnel propellers located in. the tunnel beyond the ends of the branches and means for operating the propellers.

2- In combination with a vessel hull which is of the same design at its opposite ends, a

propelling means comprising a tunnel which traverses the length of the hull and which is divided at a point between its ends into branches, propellers located in the tunnel at the opposlte ends of the branches and having shafts which enter between the branches, rudders at the ends of the tunnel and means for independently locking the rudders against turning movement.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

BENJAMIN i STRAUCH.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D, G. 

